Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HETA 93-0848-2399, 1994 Mar; :1-17

In response to a request from the management of the Providence Ambulatory Health Care Foundation (SIC-8011), an evaluation of the suitability of the current ventilation systems for preventing the transmission of tuberculosis at the Olneyville Health Care Center, Providence, Rhode Island, was conducted. The clinic was served by four single zone, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) package units located on the roof as well as an additional air conditioning unit for the perimeter offices, laboratory, and conference room. The HVAC units were found to be operating in an automatic mode, which resulted in no supply air being delivered to the examination rooms and the laboratory when temperature setpoints were satisfied. One of the thermostats controlling the HVAC units was not working properly. A tuberculin screening program was established for clients but no program was in place for employees. The author concludes that there were observed deficiencies in the ventilation systems which could potentially increase the risk of tuberculosis transmission. The author recommends that the operation of the ventilation system be improved, and the tuberculosis control program be strengthened.